Everybody knows that Beaufort’s sea islands are among the best and Travel + Leisure magazine wants to be sure that absolutely everybody knows that Beaufort, SC is near the top of the list; so much that the popular magazine has put our little coastal town on its newly published short list of 10 Best Beach Towns in South Carolina.
Of course South Carolina is home to some of the country’s most absolutely stunning beachfront towns, from under-the-radar beaches to small towns perfect for a summer vacation. With so many beaches dotting our coast, there is no shortage of beautiful places to relax and unwind in the sun.
But, Beaufort certainly stands out at #5 on the list; ahead of Myrtle Beach, Kiawah Island, and Pawley’s Island.
“The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is often compared to Charleston; it’s historic, beautiful, and filled with oak trees and amazing architecture,” Travel + Leisure said.
They even gave a nod to The Sands in Port Royal. “Its proximity to the water is also a perk. Similarly to Charleston, you’ll have to drive a bit out of the main hub to get to the beach. If you don’t mind parking your beach chair by Battery Creek, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, make your way to the Sands Beach on the southern end of Port Royal. The beach is free to the public, and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including shark tooth hunting, a boardwalk, and an observation tower.”
“For true oceanfront beaches, you’ll need to drive to Hunting Island State Park, where five miles of beautiful beaches live alongside marshes, a saltwater lagoon, and maritime forests.”
At no surprise at all, Hilton Head Island came in at #2 on the list.
The Top Ten are:
Folly Beach
Hilton Head
Isle of Palms
Sullivan’s Island
Beaufort
Pawley’s Island
Murrels Inlet
Edisto Beach
Myrtle Beach
Kiawah Island
2024 has been good to Beaufort. So far this year, Beaufort has been named one of the Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in the South, the #1 Best Small Town in South Carolina, the Coolest Small Town in S.C., the Most Charming Town in South Carolina, and among the 13 Prettiest Towns in the United States.
